Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in 0–5-year-olds: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Abstract

Aim or objectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural interventions that report sedentary behaviour outcomes during early childhood.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesAcademic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, Global Health, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus with Full Text and EMBASE electronic databases were searched in March 2016.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesInclusion criteria were: (1) published in a peer-reviewed English language journal; (2) sedentary behaviour outcomes reported; (3) randomised controlled trial (RCT) study design; and (4) participants were children with a mean age of ≤5.9 years and not yet attending primary/elementary school at postintervention.Results31 studies were included in the systematic review and 17 studies in the meta-analysis. The overall mean difference in screen time outcomes between groups was −17.12 (95% CI −28.82 to −5.42) min/day with a significant overall intervention effect (Z=2.87, p=0.004). The overall mean difference in sedentary time between groups was −18.91 (95% CI −33.31 to −4.51) min/day with a significant overall intervention effect (Z=2.57, p=0.01). Subgroup analyses suggest that for screen time, interventions of ≥6 months duration and those conducted in a community-based setting are most effective. For sedentary time, interventions targeting physical activity (and reporting changes in sedentary time) are more effective than those directly targeting sedentary time.Summary/conclusionsDespite heterogeneity in study methods and results, overall interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in early childhood show significant reductions, suggesting that this may be an opportune time to intervene.Trial registration numberCRD42015017090.

Interventions to increase physical activity in children 0–5 years old: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and realist synthesis

“…≥6 months in duration) were more effective than shorter duration interventions (i.e. <6 months in duration) . All of these studies that reported on insufficient intervention dose in this study varied in context; no clear determination about the most effective intervention dose in certain contexts could be ascertained from the data collected.…”

“…replacing typical sitting activities or environments with opportunities for children to stand and move around freely) rather than the provision of specific active play opportunities. However, a recent meta‐analysis found that interventions targeting physical activity were more effective at reducing children's objectively measured sedentary time than those specifically targeting children's sedentary time . Given the small number of studies included in both meta‐analyses, it is possible that these findings may be a reflection of the individual studies that were included in each review.…”

The effectiveness of sedentary behaviour interventions on sitting time and screen time in children and adults: an umbrella review of systematic reviews

“…Of the 17 included reviews, six reviews examined intervention effectiveness in children and adolescents across various settings [ 23 , 26 , 27 , 31 , 32 , 35 ], mainly schools and home. Three reviews investigated SB interventions targeting adults in office workplaces [ 24 , 28 , 29 ], whilst the other six reviews explored interventions targeting adults across all settings [ 30 , 34 , 36 – 39 ].…”

“…Behaviour outcomes reported in the included reviews were screen time (measured using self-report), sitting time (measured through self-report or device-measured detecting sit-stand posture) and sedentary time (measured by a device such as an accelerometer that detects intensity level). Screen time was the dominant outcome reported in children and adolescent, and it was reported in all seven studies in this age group, with only one study also investigate total sitting time [ 26 ] (Table 1 ).…”

The effectiveness and complexity of interventions targeting sedentary behaviour across the lifespan: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…All interventions with the exceptions of those that were mixed including an active control in the medium-term demonstrated reductions in SB. A recent systematic review of interventions to reduce SB in 0-5 year olds found overall mean reductions in SB of -18.91 min/day; 95% CI -33.31 to -4.51 [197]. This finding suggests that interventions of ≥6 months duration and those conducted in community settings were more effective.…”